Who can hear it? (John 6:60) Does this offend you? (John 6:61)

[skyblue888]

When Jesus talked about the necessity of eating His flesh and drinking His blood (John 6:53-58), many were offended. Even His true disciples were puzzled. Some of them asked, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" Verse 52.

Because of these words, many left Him never to return.

What did Jesus mean?

His words had a dual meaning.

In the Desire of Ages, p.660, Mrs. White teaches that the words of Jesus first apply to our physical nature. She writes, "This is true of our physical nature. Never one, saint or sinner, eats his daily food but he is nourished by the flesh and blood of Christ."

For "It is His life that we receive in the sunshine, in the pure, sweet air, and in the food which builds up our bodies and sustains our strength. It is by His life what we exist, hour by hour, moment by moment. Except as perverted by sin, all His gifts tend to life, to health and joy." Education, p.197,198. * parenthesis supplied

Does this offend us? (John 6:61) Is this not a hard saying to us (John 6:60) to be told that every time we sit at the table to eat and drink that which the Lord has given us to eat and drink, we are, consciously or not, eating His flesh and drinking His blood, thus testifying to the fact that we are depending upon the life of Christ in order to stay alive?

And this amazing fact is true of all created beings for "All created beings live by the will and power of God. They are recipients of the life of the Son of God." 1 S.M.301.

Of course, this is not talking about eternal life but about physical life.

The question is, How did the life of Christ for our physical nature ever got into the provisions for our daily life in the first place? The answer to this question is very simple but profound. We need to go back to the beginnings. It was the Lord Jesus Christ who,in the beginning, said, "Let the earth bring forth grass and herbs yielding seeds and trees bearing fruits."

And this is how His life for our physical nature was imparted to nature as the following statement clearly shows:

"It is the Word of God, the impartation of His life, that gives life to the seed; and of that life, we, in eating the grain, become partakers. This, God desires us to discern; He desires that even in receiving our daily bread we may recognize His agency and may be brought into closer fellowship with Him." Education, p.108.

"Without the life of God, nature would die." E.G.White, B.C. Vol.1, p.1081.

Is anyone here offended to be told that through the provisions for our daily life we are to discern the life of Christ for our physical nature that we may be brought into closer fellowship with Him!!!

Next we will study the second application of the words of Jesus in regard to our spiritual nature. But before we do this, any comment?

sky

[dialoguewithus]

That's why He was born in a manger, where the animals eat.

[Dr. Rich]

Sky, what is it about this that you can't see? Read Jn. 6:54-56. What was IT that Jesus brought down from Heaven? FOOD and DRINK! See John 18:37, Jesus brought down the TRUTH and testified about the truth. Therefore, the flesh and blood represent the words (testimony) that Jesus brought down from heaven to give to them so that they could abide in those words (the words of Jesus ONLY) so that they could have eternal life. Again, what is so hard about this to understand?

Now read Matthew 24:45 and you will see the word "food" again--what IS this food? They can ONLY be the same words that Jesus came to this world to give to us in order that we may abide in them (take them and eat and drink them) for eternal life. This food is for the 144,000 to get them up to speed prior to the time of trouble.

Problem is, too many have been eating the food sacrificed to idols which looks like truth, but are really lies. They have been filled up by eating "things sacrificed to idols" (see Rev. 2:20) so they are not hungry for the food that the ONE faithful and good servant (the Elijah to come-Matt. 17:11) is feeding ONLY to His fellow servants. This 'food' is none other than exactly the same food Jesus brought down from heaven, His flesh and blood so to speak, which are the words He testified to and were given to Him by His Father to give to those of us who are hungry for that food.

Sky, it's all about spiritual food my friend! Eat it (truth) and live, eat the food sacrificed to idols (lies) and be lost forever. It is your choice!

Therefore, what you wrote from EGW (Jezebel of Rev. 2:18-25), while it sounds good, that food really has no spiritual meaning (nurishment).

[Gibs]

Dr. Rich, EGW does explain it right, Sky just didn't happen to paste the one you see but she did see that be rest assured, Her words,

"If we will take God at His word, we shall see of His salvation. The gospel that we present to save perishing souls must be the very gospel that saves our own souls. We must receive the word of God. We must eat the word, live the word; it is the flesh and blood of the Son of God. We must eat His flesh and drink His blood--receive by faith His spiritual attributes. {6T 51.4}"

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Dr. Rich]

Great post Gibs. Yes, EGW and Paul have many great things to say and IF one chooses the right things then I have no problems with that.

(Man, I got a new lap top computer and the feel of the keys are so different I am making lots of typos nnow.)

[skyblue888]

Dr. Rich, EGW does explain it right, Sky just didn't happen to paste the one you see but she did see that be rest assured, Her words,

"If we will take God at His word, we shall see of His salvation. The gospel that we present to save perishing souls must be the very gospel that saves our own souls. We must receive the word of God. We must eat the word, live the word; it is the flesh and blood of the Son of God. We must eat His flesh and drink His blood--receive by faith His spiritual attributes. {6T 51.4}"

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Yes Gibs, this is the second application. The first application applies to our physical nature but the second to our spiritual nature. Continuing from the same page, (D.A.660) we read:

"And how much more are Christ's words true of our spiritual nature. He declares, 'Whoso eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, hath eternal life.' It is by receiving the life for us poured out on Calvary's cross, that we can live the life of holiness. And this life we receive by receiving His word, by doing those things which He has commanded us. Thus we become one with Him. 'He that eateth My flesh,' He says, 'and drinketh My blood, dwelleth in Me and I in him. As the living Father hath sent Me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth Me, even he shall live by Me." John 6:54,56,57.

In the book, Christ's Object Lessons, p.38, Mrs. White comments upon John 6:63 and writes these words:

"The word of God is the seed. Every seed has in itself a germinating principle. In it the life of the plant is enfolded. So there is life in God's word. Christ says, 'The words that I SPEAK unto you, they are Spirit, and they are life.' John 6:63.. In every command and in every promise of the Word of God is the power, the very life of God, by which the command may be fulfilled and the promise realized. He who by faith receives the word is receiving the very life and character of God."

sky

[Gibs]

Sky, it is a great understanding all must have, His Spirit and His Word to us we must eat and drink.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[Dr. Rich]

Thanks Sky, I guess I just didn't let you finish. I think we can all agree with that.

[skyblue888]

Sky, it is a great understanding all must have, His Spirit and His Word to us we must eat and drink.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Glad we agree on that. Will you also agree with me that the first application to our physical nature is much less understood?

God bless,

sky :)

[skyblue888]

Thanks Sky, I guess I just didn't let you finish. I think we can all agree with that.

No prob Dr. Rich.

Appreciate your candid reply

and the fact that we can

agree on that.

God bless

sky :)

[Dr. Rich]

Originally Posted By: Gibs

Sky, it is a great understanding all must have, His Spirit and His Word to us we must eat and drink.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Glad we agree on that. Will you also agree with me that the first application to our physical nature is much less understood?

God bless,

sky

Yes, of course Sky. Don't know if I told you, but I always get a kick out of the things you post here. Keep it up.

[skyblue888]

You may have said something to that effect some two years ago may be

Are you still practicing?

sky

[skyblue888]

More on the second application of the words of Jesus (John 6:54) in regard to our spiritual nature.

"The creative energy (Holy Spirit) that called the worlds into existence is in the Word of God. That word imparts power; it begets life. Every command (ten commandments) is a promise; accepted by the will, received into the soul, it brings with it the life of the Infinite One. It transforms the nature and re-creates the soul in the image of God. The life thus imparted is in like manner sustained. By every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God shall man live." Education,126. *parenthesis mine

"God's holy, educating Spirit (creative energy) is in His word." C.O.L.132. *parenthesis mine

"The life of Christ that gives life to the world is in His word. It was by His word that Jesus healed disease and cast out demons; by His word He stilled the sea, and raised the dead; and the people bore witness that His word was with power... The whole Bible is a manifestation of Christ, and the Saviour desired to fix the faith of His followers on the word. When His visible presence should be withdrawn, the word must be their source of power. Like their Master, they were to live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God... And every soul is to receive life from God's word for himself."

In other words, every soul that daily comes to God trusting wholly in the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour for his/her acceptance with God may hear the voice of Him whose word can renew the soul unto everlasting life. (John 12:50)

sky